“Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.” (Psalm 32:10 NIV)
“The wicked will have to suffer, but those who trust in the Lord are protected by his constant love.” (Psalm 32:10 TEV).
One of the greatest tragedies of sin is that the sinner does not recognize either the extent of their sin nor do they comprehend the consequences of such sin. In an episode of the Simpson’s (this is not an endorsement), Bart becomes a part of Lisa’s science experiment. Every time he touches her project he gets a shock. The mouse has learned after one shock not to touch the ball, but Bart stands there, touches it, gets shocked, yells “Ow, quit it,” and immediately reaches out and touches it again and again, each time getting the same result (shocked), and each time yelling “Ow, quit it.” That clip is a graphic illustration of the gracious truth of the first part of this Psalm, “The wicked will have to suffer.”
In the cartoon, Bart cannot see the correlation between his pain and his actions. Like those caught in sin’s grasp, he keeps doing the thing that keeps hurting him, but his response, “Ow, Quit it!” reveals that he associates the pain not with his action but with Lisa’s actions (she’s doing nothing). Those caught in the grip of sin suffer, but like Bart, instead of comprehending that their suffering is due to their own actions, instead they think their suffering is due to the correction of another. The sinner keeps getting shocked as it were because of their sin, but their rage is against the one (a person) or The One (God), who points out the cause of their pain! The Bible says in Proverbs 19:3, “Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid actions and then blame the Lord.” (TEV).
There is another side to this verse, it is the side of the person who “trusts in Him (the Lord).” The person who trusts God is the person who listens to Him; the person who obeys His Word. That person finds the protection of God’s love surrounding them. So, the question is, will you be like Bart, suffering repeatedly because of your insistence on doing it your way, or will you be blessed by God because of your submission to doing it His way?
One final thought. Above I referred to suffering as a “gracious truth.” Why? C.S. Lewis put it this way, “The human spirit will not even begin to try to surrender self-will as long as all seems to be will with it. Now error and sin both have this property, that the deeper they are the less their victim suspects their existence; they are a masked evil. Pain is unmasked unmistakable evil; every man knows that something is wrong when he is being hurt . . . And pain is not only immediately recognizable evil, but evil impossible to ignore. We can rest contentedly in our sins and in our stupidities . . . we can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." (Lewis: The Problem of Pain).
Even suffering is the gift of a loving God. Were it not for suffering all of us would be like Bart Simpson. We’d never learn.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Animosity Toward Religion Part 2
In my last article I began a discussion of the issue of religion and modern man’s distrust for it. I expressed my view that much of that distrust comes because of two factors: (1) the abuse of religion in general and at times Christianity in particular and (2) because of societies desire to be free from restriction. Like those who lobby for the removal of the motorcycle helmet laws, we do so to our own detriment. Or, to use another example, we want the freedom to use tobacco without consequence, but when the natural consequence of tobacco use occur, we want to blame the tobacco industry and make them pay for our own willful actions.
In this arena we call life, there is also no such thing as freedom without responsibility. Freedom for sexual expression has cost us dearly in physical and psychological disease. It seems we would rather live with the consequences of our desires than to submit to the rules of the Creator. When the rules of the Creator interfere with our desires we seem to be laboring under the delusion that all we have to do is remove the Creator and the consequences will somehow disappear!
Why is it that so many are willing to live with loneliness, emptiness, guilt and fear of death rather than recognize the claims of God upon their lives? We have in fact been guilty of cutting off our proverbial noses in spite of our proverbial faces. Like the nicotine addict, we know our habits are deadly, but we think we can escape their consequences. It is in this desire to escape the consequences of our own evil tendencies that has caused many to reject any and all claims of religion, or, if we don’t reject religion, we simply want to construct our own religion–a religion that says it’s okay to live the way we choose to live.
Experience shows the fallacy of such belief. Violent crime is something we are learning to live with. Sexual exploitation is for the most cases ignored (though we wonder why sexual perversion produces victims). We decry child pornography but defend the legal right of those promote it under the guise of “free speech” and the personal right of perverts by arguing that no one has the right to judge another–to say what is right or what is wrong. Most would rather spend an eternity in hell than admit such a place exists. Most would rather curse God for making one way out of our horrible predicament than thank him for making that way out. It is at this very point that the very religion we disdain is in fact our one true friend. Not religion in general, but Christianity in particular.
Religion is man’s attempt to reach God. The Bible describes such attempts as vain and misguided. In fact, in one place the Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12 NIV). And the Bible reminds us over and over again that it is possible to have a misguided zeal for God–we seem to want God, but we refuse to accept what God says! Such a man will never find God. The Bible says, “Not all who sound religious are really godly people. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but still won’t get to heaven. For the decisive question is whether they obey my Father in heaven. At the Judgment many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we told others about you and used your name to cast out demons and to do many other great miracles.’ But I will reply, ‘You have never been mine. Go away, for your deeds are evil.’” (Matthew 7:21-23 TLB). So even some who claim to be “Christian” have missed the boat. I can claim to be a relative of George Washington, but that claim means nothing if I can’t show through the genealogical record that relationship. Similarly, a person may claim to be a Christian, but that claim means nothing if they don’t show the family resemblance or recognize the very basis of their claimed relationship. That basis is found in 1 John 5 by the way. It includes first and foremost a recognition of the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is basic. If you don’t recognize that, you are not a Christian and the only way around the 1 John 5 claims is to reject its claims and design your own definition of Christianity. It is this designer version of Christianity that has many rejecting the only real hope they have in this life. They look at the caricature of Christianity, reject that, and never take time to discover the love of God found in and through the person of Jesus Christ.
In this arena we call life, there is also no such thing as freedom without responsibility. Freedom for sexual expression has cost us dearly in physical and psychological disease. It seems we would rather live with the consequences of our desires than to submit to the rules of the Creator. When the rules of the Creator interfere with our desires we seem to be laboring under the delusion that all we have to do is remove the Creator and the consequences will somehow disappear!
Why is it that so many are willing to live with loneliness, emptiness, guilt and fear of death rather than recognize the claims of God upon their lives? We have in fact been guilty of cutting off our proverbial noses in spite of our proverbial faces. Like the nicotine addict, we know our habits are deadly, but we think we can escape their consequences. It is in this desire to escape the consequences of our own evil tendencies that has caused many to reject any and all claims of religion, or, if we don’t reject religion, we simply want to construct our own religion–a religion that says it’s okay to live the way we choose to live.
Experience shows the fallacy of such belief. Violent crime is something we are learning to live with. Sexual exploitation is for the most cases ignored (though we wonder why sexual perversion produces victims). We decry child pornography but defend the legal right of those promote it under the guise of “free speech” and the personal right of perverts by arguing that no one has the right to judge another–to say what is right or what is wrong. Most would rather spend an eternity in hell than admit such a place exists. Most would rather curse God for making one way out of our horrible predicament than thank him for making that way out. It is at this very point that the very religion we disdain is in fact our one true friend. Not religion in general, but Christianity in particular.
Religion is man’s attempt to reach God. The Bible describes such attempts as vain and misguided. In fact, in one place the Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12 NIV). And the Bible reminds us over and over again that it is possible to have a misguided zeal for God–we seem to want God, but we refuse to accept what God says! Such a man will never find God. The Bible says, “Not all who sound religious are really godly people. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but still won’t get to heaven. For the decisive question is whether they obey my Father in heaven. At the Judgment many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we told others about you and used your name to cast out demons and to do many other great miracles.’ But I will reply, ‘You have never been mine. Go away, for your deeds are evil.’” (Matthew 7:21-23 TLB). So even some who claim to be “Christian” have missed the boat. I can claim to be a relative of George Washington, but that claim means nothing if I can’t show through the genealogical record that relationship. Similarly, a person may claim to be a Christian, but that claim means nothing if they don’t show the family resemblance or recognize the very basis of their claimed relationship. That basis is found in 1 John 5 by the way. It includes first and foremost a recognition of the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is basic. If you don’t recognize that, you are not a Christian and the only way around the 1 John 5 claims is to reject its claims and design your own definition of Christianity. It is this designer version of Christianity that has many rejecting the only real hope they have in this life. They look at the caricature of Christianity, reject that, and never take time to discover the love of God found in and through the person of Jesus Christ.
God's Guidance
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8 NIV).
I like the way the New Living Translation renders this verse: “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” The Living Bible (paraphrase) renders the last phrase of this verse, “I will watch your progress.”
Amazing! The God of the Universe cares enough to guide me along each day! I find the thought hard to even comprehend! It is not that He knows the general direction I’ve gone, He promises to guide each step of those who will respond to Him in faith.
There are times in life when the road is rough. I’ve been through many a dark day. There have been times when I was convinced I was on my own and, if I am honest, there were times when I was so mad at God I wished I was on my own–I thought that God had somehow really messed up certain things (Ah, the deception of the sinful heart!).
What I know is this: God doesn’t mess up, He never makes mistakes, and if, for one minute I can get my eyes off this temporary existence and realize that I was created for eternity, the temporary set-backs I think I’ve faced are really important detours along God’s “best pathway for (my) life.”
However, be careful. Let’s not forget that the setting of this verse is in the middle of a penitential Psalm. Do not make the mistake of thinking that sin is a part of that pathway. It is not. Sin will get you off the pathway, at which time God may bring you back kicking and screaming (see verse 9) on the other hand, He who controls the universe may elect just to take you out (see 1 Corinthians 11:30). Never presume upon the goodness of God.
I like the way the New Living Translation renders this verse: “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” The Living Bible (paraphrase) renders the last phrase of this verse, “I will watch your progress.”
Amazing! The God of the Universe cares enough to guide me along each day! I find the thought hard to even comprehend! It is not that He knows the general direction I’ve gone, He promises to guide each step of those who will respond to Him in faith.
There are times in life when the road is rough. I’ve been through many a dark day. There have been times when I was convinced I was on my own and, if I am honest, there were times when I was so mad at God I wished I was on my own–I thought that God had somehow really messed up certain things (Ah, the deception of the sinful heart!).
What I know is this: God doesn’t mess up, He never makes mistakes, and if, for one minute I can get my eyes off this temporary existence and realize that I was created for eternity, the temporary set-backs I think I’ve faced are really important detours along God’s “best pathway for (my) life.”
However, be careful. Let’s not forget that the setting of this verse is in the middle of a penitential Psalm. Do not make the mistake of thinking that sin is a part of that pathway. It is not. Sin will get you off the pathway, at which time God may bring you back kicking and screaming (see verse 9) on the other hand, He who controls the universe may elect just to take you out (see 1 Corinthians 11:30). Never presume upon the goodness of God.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Animosity Toward Religion Part 1
We live in an age where there is a definite distrust toward religion and in some cases outright animosity. Jean-Pierre Lehmann, in an article entitled, “The Dangers of Monotheism in an Age of Globalization” (The Globalist, 30 March 2006) writes, “I am a great believer that the progress of civilization requires the gradual eradication of all forms of established religion.” This is nothing new. Both the Humanist Manifesto I (1933) and II (1973) call for a similar eradication of religion.
Before you dismiss the above as extreme and this article as alarmist, think for a minute of the popular representation of religion in the media industry. Let anyone suggest a “right and wrong” notion and we are compared to fundamental extremist ready to enforce our beliefs by force given the chance. Those who agree with the political left are applauded, those who do not are demonized and warnings are broadcast alerting us of the religious right who are trying to hijack democracy. It seems that in our society everyone has a right to their opinion except conservative Christians. The majority applaud any group who wishes to impose their moral values on society but decry the right of groups who disagree with decadent views and seek, through the same political process to stop the proliferation of such views. So one group comes arguing for the right to publish pornography for example and if anyone dare oppose that “right” they are labeled extremist or worse–they are called “the religious right.” Then society is warned about their tendency to censure the rights of others. We forget that on a daily basis the rights of the majority are being censured by the outcry and frivolous lawsuits of the few who oppose religious expressions. For example millions have been spent in the Mount Soledad Cross issue alone, not only in defense of the Monument, but in fees paid through our tax dollar to the ACLU and fines imposed by the Courts on Cities should they fail to comply with such ridiculous demands.
Now my point is not to argue a political perspective, but rather support, by example, my thesis statement: that this is an age of distrust for religion and in some cases outrage against religion. The battle in our schools over the ability to continue to teach a totally non-scientific theory of origins as if it is legitimate science while decrying all opposing views as “religious propaganda” is an integral part in the battle to eradicate religion from the face of the earth. Make no mistake about it, that battle will mostly be won and if you want to read about what we can expect in such an “enlightened” world, read Revelation (the last book in the Bible) chapters 6-19.
I would not dare suggest that atrocities have not been committed in the name of religion. September 11, 2001 forbids such a contention and history records atrocities that have been committed in the name of Christianity as well. Sadly such atrocities are real (as in the Inquisition, Crusades, etc). Other times such tragedies are not real (for instance many claim that the Holocaust was carried out by men who believed in Christianity. We forget that Hitler was not a Christian, Hitler accepted both the theory of Darwinian Evolution and Nietzsche’s “God is dead” philosophy and used those beliefs to justify not only the murder of 6 million Jews but 7 million Christians as well–that is a story we forget. Hardly the actions of a “Christian.”) Erwin Lutzer observes, “We should remember that the number of people who died under the hands of an intolerant church is minute in comparison to the number of people who have died under the hands of intolerant humanistic states.” (Lutzer: “Exploding the Myths That Could Destroy America” Moody Press, 1986 pp. 19-20).
I am not arguing that the vast number of deaths inflicted upon mankind by those who have no religion ( a number in the millions), justify the deaths of those inflicted upon mankind inflicted upon mankind by the church (a number in the thousands). One death in the name of Christianity goes against the very tenants of Christ. I am not arguing that evil has not been done under the guise of Christianity, what I am arguing is that such acts are not Christian. I may commit a crime under an alias, but I promise you this: the laws of our land will not prosecute John Jones for my crime, though I may use his name. No! Mr. Jones’ will be cleared when it is proven that I acted in a way that he would neither agree with or participate in. Yet many are willing today to reject the name of Christ because of the criminal acts of individuals who dare use his name to support actions he would never condone.
Before you dismiss the above as extreme and this article as alarmist, think for a minute of the popular representation of religion in the media industry. Let anyone suggest a “right and wrong” notion and we are compared to fundamental extremist ready to enforce our beliefs by force given the chance. Those who agree with the political left are applauded, those who do not are demonized and warnings are broadcast alerting us of the religious right who are trying to hijack democracy. It seems that in our society everyone has a right to their opinion except conservative Christians. The majority applaud any group who wishes to impose their moral values on society but decry the right of groups who disagree with decadent views and seek, through the same political process to stop the proliferation of such views. So one group comes arguing for the right to publish pornography for example and if anyone dare oppose that “right” they are labeled extremist or worse–they are called “the religious right.” Then society is warned about their tendency to censure the rights of others. We forget that on a daily basis the rights of the majority are being censured by the outcry and frivolous lawsuits of the few who oppose religious expressions. For example millions have been spent in the Mount Soledad Cross issue alone, not only in defense of the Monument, but in fees paid through our tax dollar to the ACLU and fines imposed by the Courts on Cities should they fail to comply with such ridiculous demands.
Now my point is not to argue a political perspective, but rather support, by example, my thesis statement: that this is an age of distrust for religion and in some cases outrage against religion. The battle in our schools over the ability to continue to teach a totally non-scientific theory of origins as if it is legitimate science while decrying all opposing views as “religious propaganda” is an integral part in the battle to eradicate religion from the face of the earth. Make no mistake about it, that battle will mostly be won and if you want to read about what we can expect in such an “enlightened” world, read Revelation (the last book in the Bible) chapters 6-19.
I would not dare suggest that atrocities have not been committed in the name of religion. September 11, 2001 forbids such a contention and history records atrocities that have been committed in the name of Christianity as well. Sadly such atrocities are real (as in the Inquisition, Crusades, etc). Other times such tragedies are not real (for instance many claim that the Holocaust was carried out by men who believed in Christianity. We forget that Hitler was not a Christian, Hitler accepted both the theory of Darwinian Evolution and Nietzsche’s “God is dead” philosophy and used those beliefs to justify not only the murder of 6 million Jews but 7 million Christians as well–that is a story we forget. Hardly the actions of a “Christian.”) Erwin Lutzer observes, “We should remember that the number of people who died under the hands of an intolerant church is minute in comparison to the number of people who have died under the hands of intolerant humanistic states.” (Lutzer: “Exploding the Myths That Could Destroy America” Moody Press, 1986 pp. 19-20).
I am not arguing that the vast number of deaths inflicted upon mankind by those who have no religion ( a number in the millions), justify the deaths of those inflicted upon mankind inflicted upon mankind by the church (a number in the thousands). One death in the name of Christianity goes against the very tenants of Christ. I am not arguing that evil has not been done under the guise of Christianity, what I am arguing is that such acts are not Christian. I may commit a crime under an alias, but I promise you this: the laws of our land will not prosecute John Jones for my crime, though I may use his name. No! Mr. Jones’ will be cleared when it is proven that I acted in a way that he would neither agree with or participate in. Yet many are willing today to reject the name of Christ because of the criminal acts of individuals who dare use his name to support actions he would never condone.
Thoughts on Prayer
“Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.” (Psalm 32:6-7 NIV).
Let us never presume upon God. Paul told us to “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB). The Psalmist says, “let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found.” That is both a profound and horrifying reminder! Let’s look at it.
First that phrase, “while you may be found,” reminds us that God is not obligated to be available to anyone! I chuckle and cry at the same time when I hear arguments to keep God out of the public sector and then hear those same voices asking “Where was God (when some tragedy befell us)?” Most recently, “Where was God” when the children at a Minnesota school were mercilessly gunned down? These same skeptics who want to point their accusing finger toward the heavens are the same skeptics who asked Him to leave them alone. What’s the problem? That is what He has done!
Second that phrase, “while you may be found,” reminds us that God is not obligated to hear the prayers of those who give sin, any sin, a safe harbor in their hearts. The Psalmist said, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (Ps 66:18 NIV). And Isaian said, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2 NIV). Don’t think you can live any way you like and God is always going to be there to rescue you from the consequences of your sins.
Third, that phrase, “while you may be found,” when linked with the next thought, “surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him,” is both insightful and instructive. There are times when issues of life become so complicated and burdensome that it seems that God does not hear my prayers; my frantic cries for help. If I am not in the habit of communing with Him in the good times, it is unlikely that I will recognize His help in the bad times. Those who know what it is to “call upon God in the good times” know the peace that comes with calling upon Him in the bad times, even when our own cries deafen us to His still small voice.
Let us never presume upon God. Paul told us to “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB). The Psalmist says, “let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found.” That is both a profound and horrifying reminder! Let’s look at it.
First that phrase, “while you may be found,” reminds us that God is not obligated to be available to anyone! I chuckle and cry at the same time when I hear arguments to keep God out of the public sector and then hear those same voices asking “Where was God (when some tragedy befell us)?” Most recently, “Where was God” when the children at a Minnesota school were mercilessly gunned down? These same skeptics who want to point their accusing finger toward the heavens are the same skeptics who asked Him to leave them alone. What’s the problem? That is what He has done!
Second that phrase, “while you may be found,” reminds us that God is not obligated to hear the prayers of those who give sin, any sin, a safe harbor in their hearts. The Psalmist said, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (Ps 66:18 NIV). And Isaian said, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2 NIV). Don’t think you can live any way you like and God is always going to be there to rescue you from the consequences of your sins.
Third, that phrase, “while you may be found,” when linked with the next thought, “surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him,” is both insightful and instructive. There are times when issues of life become so complicated and burdensome that it seems that God does not hear my prayers; my frantic cries for help. If I am not in the habit of communing with Him in the good times, it is unlikely that I will recognize His help in the bad times. Those who know what it is to “call upon God in the good times” know the peace that comes with calling upon Him in the bad times, even when our own cries deafen us to His still small voice.
Monday, November 8, 2010
“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”— and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.” (Psalm 32:1-5 NIV).
What a marvelous thing to know your sins are forgiven! On the other hand, what horrible consequences we face when we try to hide something from God. The Bible says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13 NIV).
If a person is a believer, the eternal consequences of sin have been tempered–that is, the believer does not have to worry about eternal damnation (Hell). The Bible says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 NIV). Unfortunately the enemy of our souls has convinced many that since heaven is our destiny we shouldn’t concern ourselves with sin; that all that really matters is that we are going to heaven and therefore we can live safely sinful lives–as long as they aren’t big sins. Such thinking is a lie. A little sin is like a little cancer, both will kill you.
But what do I mean when I state that the eternal consequences of sin have only been tempered? Believers will face the judgment seat of Christ and at that time unconfessed sins, inactivity for Christ, any failure to comply with the Biblical standard will be used to determine the rewards or lack thereof we will receive from Christ (See 2 Corinthians 5:10). So even there we are not off ‘scot-free.’ How we live our lives after accepting Christ matters. It matters to you but more importantly, it may be the difference between eternal life or eternal damnation to those watching us. Think about it.
Now if that doesn’t motivate you to godly living, consider the immediate consequences of hidden sin in the believers life. First, unconfessed sin is unforgiven sin and it is this unforgiven sin that will meet us at Christ’s judgment seat. Second, unconfessed sin weighs down the heart; it breaks the spirit and can even harm our health!
Here’s what I know (from experience), God knows what He is talking about (in His Word). When I follow His instructions (though it may seem to go against everything I think I know), I succeed. When I tamper with those instructions, I fail.
One more thing: confession in the Biblical sense is not mere acknowledgment. Confession means that I “agree with God” on the issue; that I see the sin from His point of view. Confession, therefore, by its very nature involves repentance. Repentance means a 1800 turn. I am going one way away from God now I turn and go the opposite way toward God. I have a change of mind about the sin or issue that results in a change of heart over that issue (I lose the desire for it), which results in a change of behavior. The Bible reminds us to “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8 NIV).
If you really want the joy of salvation, live like one who has been saved.
What a marvelous thing to know your sins are forgiven! On the other hand, what horrible consequences we face when we try to hide something from God. The Bible says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13 NIV).
If a person is a believer, the eternal consequences of sin have been tempered–that is, the believer does not have to worry about eternal damnation (Hell). The Bible says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 NIV). Unfortunately the enemy of our souls has convinced many that since heaven is our destiny we shouldn’t concern ourselves with sin; that all that really matters is that we are going to heaven and therefore we can live safely sinful lives–as long as they aren’t big sins. Such thinking is a lie. A little sin is like a little cancer, both will kill you.
But what do I mean when I state that the eternal consequences of sin have only been tempered? Believers will face the judgment seat of Christ and at that time unconfessed sins, inactivity for Christ, any failure to comply with the Biblical standard will be used to determine the rewards or lack thereof we will receive from Christ (See 2 Corinthians 5:10). So even there we are not off ‘scot-free.’ How we live our lives after accepting Christ matters. It matters to you but more importantly, it may be the difference between eternal life or eternal damnation to those watching us. Think about it.
Now if that doesn’t motivate you to godly living, consider the immediate consequences of hidden sin in the believers life. First, unconfessed sin is unforgiven sin and it is this unforgiven sin that will meet us at Christ’s judgment seat. Second, unconfessed sin weighs down the heart; it breaks the spirit and can even harm our health!
Here’s what I know (from experience), God knows what He is talking about (in His Word). When I follow His instructions (though it may seem to go against everything I think I know), I succeed. When I tamper with those instructions, I fail.
One more thing: confession in the Biblical sense is not mere acknowledgment. Confession means that I “agree with God” on the issue; that I see the sin from His point of view. Confession, therefore, by its very nature involves repentance. Repentance means a 1800 turn. I am going one way away from God now I turn and go the opposite way toward God. I have a change of mind about the sin or issue that results in a change of heart over that issue (I lose the desire for it), which results in a change of behavior. The Bible reminds us to “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8 NIV).
If you really want the joy of salvation, live like one who has been saved.
Be Strong
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24 NIV).
The Bible is full of admonitions to “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Let’s look at a few of them.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV).
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV).
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.” (2 Chronicles 32:7 NIV).
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:3 NIV).
Then, one of my personal favorites is 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (NIV).
Wow! Aren’t you ready to face the day now?
The Bible is full of admonitions to “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Let’s look at a few of them.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV).
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV).
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.” (2 Chronicles 32:7 NIV).
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:3 NIV).
Then, one of my personal favorites is 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (NIV).
Wow! Aren’t you ready to face the day now?
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